Revisiting an important point for interview success
I believe that there are 6 components to a successful interview.
They are listed below.
I would like to focus on the first point this week as it is one where I continue to see an opportunity for candidates to improve when it comes to their meetings.
1.
Conducting due diligence on the opportunity as well as the company
2.
Making a good first impression
3.
Delivering tight answers to interview questions using STAR Methodology
4.
Continuing to be cognisant of one’s body language
5.
Writing follow-up notes after a meeting
6.
Continuing to network with the contacts that you meet
1.
In the past I have blogged about due diligence prior to a meeting but this week I want to focus on making it work for you in the interview.
One of the most important aspects of an interview are not the answers made by the candidate but the questions asked by the candidate.
The quality of these questions are what separates average candidates from exceptional candidates.
Average candidates will ask questions like “What is the culture like here?
Or Where does this position lead to within the organization?”
Exceptional candidates will ask high level questions about the research that they have conducted as well questions based on their observations.
Good candidates will ask about both the specific opportunities and challenges that face a company and/or division.
A good candidates will then ask follow up questions based on the answers that they receive to those questions.
To the interviewer, this displays thought process, listening skills and the ability to formulate more thought based on this new information (the interviewers answers).
It also tells an interviewer that this person is goal focused, will likely require less time to adjust to a new role than the average candidate, and it shows a positive attitude within the candidate as they are not distracted by challenges but focused on opportunities.
Often when an interviewer is asked strategic questions it will also force the interviewer to think about their own business which stimulates the brain and contributes to the energy of the meeting.
Good candidates are not afraid to ask questions based on their observations and/or research as they have confidence in themselves and are not concerned if one of their observations is not accurate.
Make sure that you do not over-structure your meeting by preparing a laundry list of questions that you intend to ask before the meeting is complete.
Your questions should come naturally and within the flow of the conversation.
If there are follow up questions that you need further clarification on and it is not inappropriate (i.e. too specific for a first time meeting), than they can always be covered in a follow up email.
I encourage people to limit the amount of questions to a few but to make them more strategic in nature.
As the saying goes, “less is often more.”
You cannot fake strategy in a meeting but you can showcase strategy with the right amount of preparation.
Use that preparation to your advantage.
2.
Make sure that you look the part, make eye to eye contact, firm handshake, engage all points of contact at the meeting and do not talk too much or too little.
3.
Use this approach with both behavioral and summary style structured questions.
4.
It applies to all body parts with eyes and arms being key areas.
It is amazing how many people will cross their arms in an interview which is completely unacceptable.
5.
Follow up notes are important as it shows professionalism and thoroughness.
For an important opportunity I also recommend a hand written note.
Some people might think it is old fashioned but I can assure you that it is memorable to the recipient.
I remember every candidate who has sent me a hand written note.
6.
Often there is a connection made during an interview even when the opportunity is not deemed as a fit for one or both of the sides.
Do not end the relationship at the conclusion of a meeting.
Continue to follow up with this person as a networking partner.
Often I will hear about people staying in touch with each other which later leads to a partnership down the road.
Farewell,
Mike